By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A made-in-C-K digital marketing tool called LUVLOCAL is getting the affection it deserves.
According to Morena McDonald, one of the initiative’s partners, the platform has welcomed a host of new businesses recently following a soft launch over the Christmas holidays.
“We’ve been working hard to keep up with inquiries from local small businesses,” said McDonald in a recent media release, adding organizers have been busy visiting small business owners in their homes or studios.
The approach includes taking photos of owners and their products and learning about their processes and stories.
“Each is truly inspiring,” McDonald said, and “so worth it to see their hard work showcased on LUVLOCAL.”
According to McDonald, selling on the platform is just the start. Participating businesses continually receive assistance with product photography, video content for social media, and business advice as they experience the daily struggles of running a small business.
“I haven’t seen this kind of support and collaboration before,” said Connie Marion, owner of Dip Dip Hooray, adding the LUVLOCAL team shows up and oversees every aspect of the business process, even picking up and delivering the product all over Chatham-Kent.
Set to expand, LUVLOCAL is inviting the C-K community to join the movement by browsing online business storefronts to see the wide variety of products made and available right here at home.
“Shopping local is more than a tagline,” McDonald stressed. “It’s exploring what products are made here, listening to the stories of small business owners and making the choice to purchase an item from local hard-working, talented entrepreneurs. LUVLOCAL makes it easy to do all of that.”
